The Rockies will take on $1 million of the roughly $3 million owed Ellis. He will be uniform Friday and is scheduled to hit second and start at second base.

“We know he’s winning player. We have guys who were teammates with him. He’s a good defender, another veteran guy who has a presence and feel for the game at a time when we are breaking a lot of young players,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said.

At 33, Ty Wigginton has been around long enough to know. When he’s ready to start heating up at the plate, that is.

The Rockies designated Jose Lopez for assignment in part because they wanted to get a long look at Wigginton at third base. And he’s confident they’re going to like what they see.

He’s healthy — having overcome a strained left oblique that landed him on the 15-day disabled list — and he’s playing every day. Wigginton believes the combination will lead to solid production at a position that has been a sink hole, contributing heavily to the Rockies’ offensive malaise.

Alfredo Amezaga filled in at shortstop for Troy Tulowitzki on Wednesday.

Troy Tulowitzki went into tonight hitting .244 — .298 in April, .186 in May. Having struggled throughout the month, it was time for Tulo to take a break.

So it was that, after 47 straight starts, Tulowitzki sat out tonight’s game.

“There’s no doubt, I want to play every day,’’ said Tulowitzki. “At the same time, this game can be mentally exhausting, especially for someone like me. (Tuesday), I definitely hit the ball decent, but didn’t have much to show for it.

“When you’re hitting .300, you don’t really care about those days, but when you’re struggling and not playing the way you’d like to, you definitely think about it more. So more than anything, it’s kind of a mental day off to relax and get back in there tomorrow.’’

Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd has been burning up the phone lines, but not in search of a replacement for Jorge De La Rosa.

O’Dowd knows exactly what’s out there on the trade market, having spent several days on the phone trying to get some value for deposed relievers Franklin Morales and Felipe Paulino. And O’Dowd says there’s nothing out there of interest.

“We’ll look inside to begin with, and then we’ll adjust accordingly,’’ said O’Dowd. “It’s just too early for clubs to do a whole lot right now.’’

Rockies owner Dick Monfort tried to put on a good face, but there was no denying the impact of Jorge De La Rosa’s season-ending elbow injury.

“It really hurts. I am downplaying it because I don’t think it has totally hit me,” Monfort said. But four weeks from now and you know it’s his turn I will wish that he was taking the ball. Obviously somebody has to step up.”

The Rockies’ promoted Bruce Billings today for bullpen help and will start Double-A fireballer Juan Nicasio on Saturday against the Cardinals. Manager Jim Tracy labeled it a “spot start.” Aaron Cook starts the same day in Triple-A Colorado Springs so he would be available to take Nicasio’s next turn against the Giants.

Looking to reinforce their bullpen after a doubleheader, the Rockies have promoted Bruce Billings for a long relief role and are strongly considering bringing Double-A fireballer Juan Nicasio to start Saturday.

Billings is in Denver and is expected to be activated today when Jorge De La Rosa lands on the disabled list with a torn elbow ligament that will require season-ending surgery.

Billings has been a regular in the Triple-A rotation. In 18 appearances for the Sky Sox this season, he’s 2-2 with a 5.06 ERA.

Though old for the league, Nicasio has nonetheless dominated Double-A competition. He’s sitting around 94 mph with his fastball while touching 101 mph. His slider is a work in progress, but an improved changeup suggests he could be ready for a big-league start.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.